Yes, no, maybe

[Gonz]

What is the NY Times trying to say? This is teh same story...within the first eight paragraphs.

But the country's oil fields now are in decline, prompting industry and government officials to raise serious questions about whether the kingdom will be able to satisfy the world's thirst for oil in coming years.

Energy forecasts call for Saudi Arabia to almost double its output in the next decade and after. Oil executives and government officials in the United States and Saudi Arabia, however, say capacity will probably stall near current levels, potentially creating a significant gap in the global energy supply.

Saudi Arabia, the leading exporter for three decades, is not running out of oil. Industry officials are finding, however, that it is becoming more difficult or expensive to extract it. Today, the country produces about eight million barrels a day, roughly one-tenth of the world's needs. It is the top foreign supplier to the United States, the world's leading energy consumer.

No wonder the NYT is falling apart.

 

[Squiggy]

Huh? It all makes sense to me. The world is demanding more oil. SA can't meet the demand. But its not because they don't have the oil. its because they can't get it out as easily anymore.

 

[PT]

I thought it made sense too. You need to start reading the whole paragraphs instead of just the first sentence.

 

[MrBishop]

It's bad writing

There are less 'oil fields' - less access points to the oil reserves.
They are incresing output. - more pumps working overtime on the working fields
No shortage of oil - that's subjective, but they mean 'for now'. Other estimates claim that they have enough for about 20 years or so, at current usage. The problem is that developing countries are increasing their usage.